To put it lightly, Oregon’s offense was a bit out of rhythm when it started Saturday night on the road against Washington State. The same could be said on the opposite side of the ball as Connor Halliday and a contingent of wide receivers managed to keep the Ducks on their toes throughout all 60 minutes.
However, despite giving up seven sacks and being called for 10 penalties, Marcus Mariota and the offense were able to put together enough big plays to prevail in a 38-31 victory.
Mariota, who would pass for 329 yards on 21-of-25 passing and five touchdowns, connected with Keanon Lowe for a six-yard touchdown pass with 5:33 remaining in the game to capture their Pac-12 opener.
Halliday, who managed to finish the game without an interception, recorded 436 yards on 43-0f-63 passing for four touchdowns in the loss.
Key plays:
-After combining for -12 yards on the first two drives, Mariota found Devon Allen streaking down the center of the field and Allen did the rest, connecting on a 80-yard touchdown pass and catch to tie the game at 7.
-With a 4th-and-two at the Oregon eight, Mike Leach kept his offense on the field and Connor Halliday and Dom Williams were able to convert. Halliday tossed a perfect fade to Williams, who was being covered by Ifo Ekpre-Olomu on the play, for an 8-yard touchdown to put the Cougars up 14-7.
– Leading a 12-play drive that started at the Cougars’ 26, Connor Halliday capped off the Washington State drive by finding his receiver Ricky Galvin on second-and-goal for a six-yard touchdown to tie the game at 21.
– Facing 4th-and-10 at the Washington State 36, Mariota avoided a rush and sprinted 28 yards for the first down. A play later Mariota would find Pharaoh Brown in the corner of the end zone wide open to put the Ducks up for good.
– With just 5:33 remaining in the game, Mariota found Lowe for a six-yard touchdown, their second end zone connection of the game. Oregon would make one final stop before running out the clock.
Oregon Passing
Marcus Mariota – 21-for-25, 329 yards, five touchdowns
Washington State Passing
Connor Halliday – 43-for-63, 436 yards, four touchdowns
Oregon Rushing
Royce Freeman – 20 rushes, 75 yards
Thomas Tyner – 6 rushes, 24 yards
Marcus Mariota – 13 rushes for 58 yards
Washington State Rushing
Gerard Wicks – 7 rushes for 36 yards
Oregon Receiving
Devon Allen- 7 receptions, 142 yards, two touchdowns
Keanon Lowe – 5 receptions, 104 yards, two touchdowns
Washington State Receiving
River Cracraft – 8 receptions for 107 yards, one touchdown
Dom Williams- 6 receptions, 72 yards, two touchdowns
Oregon Total Offense- 501
Washington State Total Offense- 499
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise